Rarely do first novels have original, well-developed plots. Line of Vision has one of the best plots I have ever read in the legal thriller genre. If the character development were as strong as the plot, Line of Vision would be one of the great legal thrillers of all time. In the end, the book successfully transcends the amazing plot to raise fundamental questions about human motivation that will haunt you.I was attracted to Line of Vision after learning that the book had received the Edgar award for best first novel. Since I had found many other fine writers this way, I was looking forward to the book. My high expectations were greatly exceeded. The plot complications reminded me of first-year classes in evidence in law school while the complexity of the issues addressed exceeded most law school articles I have read. Those who like their thrillers to be intellectually challenging will adore this book!
Marty Kalish is the book's protagonist and narrates the story. He is the exception to the rule that Mr. Ellis did not do enough character development. You will get to know Marty Kalish quite well, and will find yourself engaged by his struggle to avoid harm to those he loves and himself.
Marty is at that stage as an investment banker where he will soon become a partner . . . or work on in oblivion elsewhere. As a bachelor, he lives his work . . . until he meets the intriguing wife of a prominent surgeon. Marty offers her a ride home, and one thing leads to another. As the book opens, Marty is standing outside her house waiting for a weekly treat -- her naughty modeling performance before an undraped window while her husband is away operating. But something's wrong. She's not doing her thing. Instead, her husband is at home . . . and attacking her. Marty races to the rescue. Someone calls the police. When they arrive, they find a dazed wife and a missing husband in a living room filled with blood. Marty meanwhile is out using his wits and his brief law school experience to create a false trail that leads away from his beloved and himself. But he makes little errors based on his out-of-control emotions, and is soon under suspicion. The story shows how he deals with that suspicion and ingeniously unveils the answers to unexpected secrets that he uncovers along the way.
This book is not for the meek and mild. Marty does some pretty reprehensible things, and is mainly looking out for his own pleasure (and hide). But justice is done in the end, much like happened in the great noir thrillers of the 1940s and 1950s.
As I finished the book, I was reminded to try to step outside of my own perspective to see what is happening from the view points of others . . . if I want to understand what is really happening . . . rather than what I want to believe is happening.
Very nice job, Mr. Ellis!
